Flip-fold mail



Dec. 14, 1965 M. cAlNE 3,223,312

FLIP-FOLD MAIL Filed March 24, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet l A WURNEYS' Dec. 14, 1965 M. CAINE 3,223,312

FLIP-FOLD MAIL Filed March 24 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 14, 1965 M. CAINE 3,223,312

FLIP-FOLD MAIL Filed March 24, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 3,223,312 FLIP-FOLD MAIL Milton Caine, 83-35 139th St., Kew Gardens, N.Y. Filed Mar. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 354,308 1 Claim. (Cl. 229-928) This invention relates generally to cards or similar printed sheets and particularly to cards or sheets adapted to be transmitted by mail.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a mailable card or sheet that is usable by the recipients for identification or other purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a card or sheet of this character whereby addressing and mailing are greatly facilitated and rendered economical.

A further object of the invention is to provide a card in which a detachable portion thereof is capable of easy separation from the main body of the card, which separated portion is then rendered usable by the recipient for ordering a subscription or for any other purpose.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mailable card that is adapted to receive an enclosure such as a bank check and the like.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a foldable and mailable card adapted to receive indicia thereon visible when sent through the mail for advertising spectaculars such as worlds fairs.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a foldable and mailable card adapted to receive and transmit photographic proofs.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a card embodying one form of the invention in substantially flat unfolded condition.

FIG. 2 is a view of the card in folded condition ready for addressing and mailing.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view and FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of a card embodying a modified form of the invention in fiat unfolded condition.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a card embodying another modified form of the invention in unfolded flat condition preparatory to receiving an enclosure.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 6 showing the card in folded condition with an enclosure therein, parts being broken away.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fragment of a card embodying still another modified form of the invention, showing the card in flat unfolded condition.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the lower corner of the card of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the card in folded condition.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 1111 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a card embodying still another modification of the invention, the card being shown in partly folded condition.

FIG. 13 is a similar view of a card embodying a still further modification of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a card embodying yet another modification of the invention in partly folded condition, shown preparatory to receiving an enclosure.

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FIG. 15 is a similar view of a card embodying still another modification of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a similar view of a fragment of a card embodying a further modification of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the fragment of the card of FIG. 16 in folded condition.

FIG. 18 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line l818 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of a card embodying yet another modification of the invention, shown in flat unfolded condition.

FIG. 20 is a bottom plan view of the card of FIG. 19 shown in fiat unfolded condition.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the card of FIGS. 19 and 20 shown in folded condition ready for addressing and mailing.

FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view thereof.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a card embodying yet another modified form of the invention in partly folded condition.

FIG. 24 is a similar view of a card embodying a still further modification of the invention.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the card of FIG. 24 in folded condition ready for addressing and mailing.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a card embodying another modified form of the invention shown in partly folded condition.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the card of FIG. 26 in folded condition ready for addressing and mailing.

FIG. 28 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2828 of FIG. 27.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is shown a card 10 made in accordance with one form of the invention. The card is formed of cardboard or other suitable material and has a rectangular shaped body 12. Across the body, there are spaced fold lines 14, 16 and 18, dividing the body into end panels 20 and 22 and into intermediate panels 24 and 26. Line 18 is also a score line, permitting panel 22 to be detached. Panel 20 is only half the width of the other panels. Tabs 28 are formed on the end panel 20 extending laterally thereof. The inner or top surface of the tab 28 as viewed in FIG. 1 is coated with adhesive 30, the adhesive extending a short space onto the adjacent surface of the body. A shallow notch 32 is cut in panel 22 in one long edge of the body intersecting the fold line 18.

The panel 22 may be in the form of an identification card and has imprinted on the surface thereof an elongated rectangular-shaped box 36. Indicia 38 is imprinted adjacent for instructing the recipient. For example, the words Enter Here appear above the box and the words Your Soc. Sec. No. appear below the box, indicating the social security number. The box 36 thus serves as a space to insert a respective social security number therein. A line 40 is provided at the bottom of the surface of the panel 22 with indicia. 42 therebelow and adjacent thereto, for example, the word Signature so that the line 40 serves as a guide for a signature. A plurality of promiscuously arranged closed slots 34 are formed in the notched end, indicating a code indicia.

The body of the card .is readily folded along the fold lines 14, 16 and 18 into the condition shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein the panel 22 bearing the indicia. is positioned inside and concealed from view, the not-ch 32 facilitating this operation. When in folded condition, the tabs 28, 28 on panel 20 are extended over the folded ends of the panels and the free end of the tabs fastened to the outer surface of panel 26. On the outer surface of panel 26 when folded at the bottom edge thereof, there is indicia. 4.1 for example reading 2nd Class Mail to indicate the class of mail desired. There is plenty of space above the indicia 40 for addressing the folded card, and placing postage thereon, as indicated at 42.

The entire card 10 as shown folded in FIG. 2 is mailed out to the addressee and upon receipt of the card the recipient will tear off the panel 22, fill in the blanks and retain and use the card for future identification or for other purposes. In the mailing operation, the detachable panel 22 is well protected as the panels 24 and 26 serve as shields and the tabs 28 hold the panels in shielding position.

In sending the card out through the mail, the name and address of the intended recipient are written, printed or otherwise produced on the surface of panel 26.

The modified form of card 10' shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 differs from the card in that all of the panels 24', 26', 28' are irnperforate and the edges of the body are smooth without interruption. The lines 16' and 18' are score lines as well as fold lines.

In the card It), the panel 26' takes the form of a subscription or order blank with indicia 50 imprinted on its top surface as viewed in FIG. 4 identifying the blank and with lines 52 imprinted thereon serving as guides for inserting information as to the subscribers name, address and the like.

The top surfaces of the panels 20, 22', 24' provide space for advertising as indicated at 54.

With reference to FIG. 5, the opposite surface of panel 24 has imprinted thereon the postage permit number as indicated at 56 and indicia 58 giving instructions and identifying the class of mail. The remainder of the surface as indicated at 60 provides space for the name and address of the addressee.

The opposite surface of panels 20, 22', 26' provide space for advertising matter as indicated at 62.

The card 10' is folded so as to bring the surface of panel 24 shown in FIG. 5 on the outside with the free ends of the tabs 28' fastened thereon. Upon receipt of the card 10', the recipient will tear off the panel 26 constituting the subscription blank, fill out the blank and return it to the sender.

Another modified form of card 10" is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 which differs from the card 10 of FIG. 1 merely in that there is no identification provided and the end panel 22" serves merely as an enclosure panel to serve with the other panels in enclosing and protecting an enclosure placed therebetween such as a bank check 64 as shown in FIG. 7.

In FIGS. 8 to 11, inclusive, a fragment of another modified form of card 10 is shown. Card 10 is similar to the card 10' of FIG. 4 except that in place of the adhesively coated tabs 28, the end panel 20" has a substantially rectangular tab 28" cut along its two long edges and along one short edge and is attached along its other short edge. The tab is disposed parallel to the free long edge of panel 20". The tab 28" is coated with adhesive 30 on one surface thereof, for the major portion of its ength. In all other respects, the card 10 is similar to card 10' and similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts.

The card 10 is folded to bring the panel 20" on the ouside as shown in FIG. 10, the tab 28" having first been pressed outwardly of the panel leaving a cut-out portion 66. The tab is extended over the adjacent ends of the other panels and its free end fastened by the adhesive to the panel 24. The surface of panel 24' provides suflicient space for the name and address of the addressee. Any one of the panels may serve as an identification card such as the panel or card 22 of FIG. 1 or as a subscription blank such as the card or panel 24' of FIG. 4.

The modified forms of cards 10a and 10x shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, respectively, are similar to the card 10 of FIG. 1 except that the end panel 22a and 22x, respectively, do not serve as identification cards but serve to support advertising ,indicia 70 and 72, respectively, for

advertising spectaculars, such as worlds fairs, etc. Panels 26a and 26x also provide space for similar advertising indicia 74 and 76, respectively.

Furthermore, the tab-s 28, 28 of card 10 are missing from card 22x and instead thereof, the free long edge of panel 20x is coated on its inner surface with adhesive 30x, for sealing panel 20x to panel 222:. I

The modified form of card 10x shown in FIG. 14 differs merely from card 10a of FIG. 12 in that the end panel 22x is provided with a shield thereover and spaced therefrom to permit insertion of a photographic proof as indicated at 82.

Modified card 10x" shown in FIG. 15 is similar to card 10x shown in FIG. 13 except that the end panel 20x" is of the same width as the other panels 22x", 24x, 26x", and the panels 22x" and 26x are without advertising indicia thereon.

In FIGS. 16 to 18, inclusive, another modified card 10a somewhat similar to card 10" of FIGS. 8 to 11, inclusive is shown. A tab 28a is partly cut out of panel 20a along its long edges and along one short edge, being attached to the panel at its other short edge. In card 10a, however, the tab is coated with adhesive 30a for its entire surface. The tab is disposed diagonally with its center axis pointing to the adjacent corner of the panel. The tab 28a is pressed outwardly of panel 20a instead of inwardly as in card 10' so that the tab extends outwardly over the edge of the panel 29a and over the edges of the other panels.

In FIGS. 19 to 22, inclusive, still another modified form of card lfiax is illustrated. The card ltiax has a rectangular-shaped body provided with spaced transverse fold lines 84, 86, 88, dividing the body into end panels 92 and 94 and intermediate panels 96, 98, 160. Tabs 102 project laterally of the end panel 92 which tabs are coated on one surface with adhesive 104 extending into the surface of the panel 92.

On one surface of panel 92 there is imprinted lines 106 serving as guides for placing information and also a pair of aligned boxes 108 for placing any desired information.

Similar lines 110 and a single elongated box 112 is imprinted on the corresponding surface of panel 98.

On the corresponding surface of panel 100 a single elongated box 114 is imprinted, and on the corresponding surface of panel 94 a pair of boxes 116 and spaced lines 118 are imprinted.

On the opposite surface of panel 96 a single box 120 is imprinted as a guide for attaching postage stamps, and on the opposite surface of panel 94 a single box 121 is imprinted providing space for a name and address.

In accordance with this form of the invention, a panel 122 is attached to one end of panel 98 extending laterally thereof and formed integrally with panel 122 is another panel 124 forming an extension thereof. Panel 124 is formed with a tab 126 on its free end, which tab is coated with adhesive 128 on one surface thereof. A box 130 is imprinted on the surface of panel 122 adjacent one of its outer corners serving as a guide for attaching postage stamps.

The card 10ax can be folded to bring the panel 96 on the outside with the tabs 102 extended around the end edges of the panels and the free ends thereof fastened to the outer surface of panel 96 as shown in FIG. 21.

The card 10ax can also be folded to bring the panel 122 on the outside at one side and the panel 124 on the outside at the opposite side as shown in FIG. 22.

Yet another modified form of card 1020: is shown in FIG. 23. This card includes a rectangular body with transverse spaced fold lines and 142 providing end panels 144 and 146 and an intermediate panel 148. Tabs 150 extend laterally of the ends of panel 148 and are coated with adhesive 152 on one surface thereof.

An additional panel 154 is hingedly connected to one long edge of intermediate panel 148. Advertising indicia 156 is imprinted on one surface of the panel 154.

In folding card xx, panel 146 is folded over panel 148, then panel 154 is folded over panel 146 and then panel 144 folded over panel 154 with the tabs 1511 extending across the ends of the folded panels and the free ends thereof fastened to panel 148.

The modified card ltlaa shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 is similar to the card 10xx of FIG. 23 except that the lateral panel 156 is hingedly attached to the end panel 146 instead of the intermediate panel 148. When card a is folded the lateral panel 156 is folded against the inner surface of panel 146 and over panel 148 with the tabs 150 secured to the outer surface of panel 148.

In FIGS. 26 to 28, inclusive, still another modified form of card 10xx' is shown. This card has a rectangular-shaped body with transverse fold lines and 162 dividing the body into end panels 164 and 166 and an intermediate panel 168. A tab substantially rectanglar is formed in panel 164 by cutting along the long edges thereof and one short edge leaving the other short edge attached to the material of the panel. One surface of the tab is coated with adhesive 172. In folding and sealing card 10xx', tab 170 is pressed outwardly of panel 164 and panel 164 is folded inwardly over panel 168. Panel 166 is then folded over panel 164 and the tab 170 extended across the folded edge of panels 164 and 168 and the free edge of tab 170 as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 is fastened to the outer surface of panel 166.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent A mailing card comprising a rectangular body of cardboard having transverse fold lines dividing the body into a plurality of end panels and a plurality of intermediate panels, the line dividing one end panel from the adjacent intermediate panel being also a score line, said one end panel having indicia imprinted thereon for insertion of identification data by a recipient of the card, the other end panel having its surface adjacent the ends thereof coated with adhesive for sealing said other end panel to an intermediate panel, means for holding the panels in folded condition for mailing including tabs extending laterally of said other end panel, said tabs having adhesive on one surface thereof forming continuations of the adhesive on said other end panel, said tabs adapted to extend across the ends of the panels and be fastened to the outer surfaces of one of the outer folded panels, said one end panel having closed slots cut therein representing code indicia, said one end panel having a notch in the end edge thereof intersecting the adjacent fold and score line for facilitating folding of the one end panel, said other end panel being one-half the Width of the other panels whereby the tabs extend across the ends of the panels midway the width of the panels.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 188,306 3/ 1877 Rogers 229-92.5 591,415 10/1897 Morey 22992.7 1,459,092 6/ 1923 Etheridge 229--92.S 2,357,444 9/ 1944 Armbruster 22992.l 2,773,638 12/1956 Krohn 229-92.72 2,775,397 12/ 1956 Vogt 229-87 FOREIGN PATENTS 897,657 5/1944 France.

6,451 1902 Great Britain. 402,274 11/ 1933 Great Britain.

79,660 12/ 19 18 Switzerland.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner. 

